Astros delaying roster moves until last minute

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The injury to Clint Barmes has put enough of a hitch into the Astros’ decision making that they will no longer be able to finalize a roster before leaving Florida.

That decision will carry over past Monday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Phillies, past Tuesday’s exhibition at Oklahoma City, past Wednesday’s exhibition at Minute Maid Park against the Red Sox and on into Thursday — the eve of opening day, when the roster must be cut to 25.

Manager Brad Mills had hoped to have a roster finalized by the time the Astros left Florida.

“That’s not going to happen,” Mills admitted Sunday. “It’s going to go all the way up to that off day.”

There are still decisions to be made in the bullpen and one outfield spot open, but most of the hesitation is over the infield, where there is now a starting shortstop position available in addition to two backup jobs.

The outfield decision has a mild connection to the infield as Jason Bourgeois can play second base and is one of two outfielders left in camp for the fifth spot with J.B. Shuck being the other.

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• J.R. Towles is sitting for a second consecutive day with back spasms. Angel Sanchez, meanwhile, is still suffering from some back soreness where he strained a muscle last week, but Mills hopes Sanchez will be able to get in today’s game at some point.